9 Best Rocking Chair and Gliders for a Small Nursery (2023 Review)

Designing, decorating, and putting together the baby’s nursery is one of the most exciting things to do as you await the birth of your little baby. However, not all nursery rooms have extra space to place a standard rocking chair or glider.

It is for that reason that today we will be talking all about the best rocking chair and glider for a small nursery. So that you can have your dream nursery—rocking chair and all—even in a small space.

We will break them down into the following categories so that you can find exactly what you are looking for:

Best Traditional Nursery Rocking Chair for Small Spaces
Best Small Nursery Glider
Best Small Nursing Chairs

But first, let’s go over a few common questions of moms-to-be regarding nursery rocking chairs and gliders for small spaces.

Why use a nursery rocking chair or glider?

You will soon realize how exhausting it can become carrying the baby for an extended period of time without arm support. This is especially true as the baby grows.

Nursery rocking chairs and gliders allow for much-needed rest while you are in that space.

Small rocking chairs in particular are ideal to tuck in corners of the nursery where traditional nursery rocking chairs or gliders wouldn’t fit.

Nursery rocking chairs allow you to:

Rest
Breastfeed (or bottle feed) comfortably
Rock your baby to sleep
Spend quality time with baby

Is a nursery chair for your small nursery crucial? It was for me. Having a quiet place to sit down and rock my children to sleep was a lifesaver.

In fact, years after I stopped rocking my children to sleep, I have found a great use for our nursery glider. It has now become a favorite spot to read and relax. Even my husband uses it once in a while.

Traditional Nursery Rocking Chair vs Glider

small nursery rocking chair and small glider

Most people are more familiar with nursery rocking chairs, but gliders have gained quite a popularity in recent years.

Nursery rocking chairs and gliders serve the same purpose. However, the most noticeable difference comes down to movement.

Here are the main differences between both nursery rocking chairs and gliders, so that you can make the best choice to meet your needs.

Movement

Nursery rocking chairs give you the ability to sway back and forth using the push and pull of your feet. The movement is typically more strong and more pronounced than the glider’s movement.

Nursery gliders on the other hand have the ability to slide in a “forward-backward” motion. Some, even swivel give you the ability to turn in all directions.

Construction

Rocking chairs in general are built on two simple arced legs with no working parts. However, although the traditional rocking chairs are all made out of wood, some newer versions of nursery rocking chairs now feature a padded body for additional comfort and support.

A nursery glider moves via a sliding mechanism installed on a stable base. Some gliders also have rolled and padded arms and a fabric skirt around the bottom.

Style

Small nursery rocking chairs go back many centuries. They a very “country” and exude a very traditional look which many moms-to-be opt for because of their classic and simplistic composition.

Nursery gliders on the other hand offer a more modern look to a small space.

Comfort

Both of these styles of nursery rocking chairs provide their own level of comfort. Although some styles of nursery rocking chairs come with more advanced comfort features.

As a rule of thumb, ensure the nursery rocking chair you opt for has good back and bottom support as most of your weight will be supported by those areas.

Additionally, if foot support is also something you might be interested in, then a compact nursery glider might be a great choice. Nursery gliders often come available with a padded footstool which allows you to elevate your feet and glide in one full motion. So, even come with a pop-up foot rest saving you additional space.

If you are opting to breastfeed, choosing a small nursing rocking chair with padded armrests can also be beneficial.

Rocking chair for Small Nursery Considerations

Safety

When it comes to nursery rocking chairs and gliders, keeping safety in mind is crucial.

If you have ever rocked yourself in a rocking chair you know to be careful that no one—including pets—gets their toes, or paws, stuck under the arched legs!

The same is true for nursery gliders whose mechanism is exposed and whose little fingers might get caught while gliding.

If you have small children, you can select a rocking chair or glider that locks in place when it is not in use. That will prevent them from climbing the rocking chair while it is in motion which can be dangerous.

In essence, when picking your small nursery rocking chair, or small nursery glider, make sure you keep those things in mind.

Bonus Features

Just because you are looking for a small nursery chair, doesn’t mean that you have to give up some of the bonus features that come along with some nursery rocking chairs.

Nowadays, nursery rocking chairs and gliders come with many great features, including:

partial swivel
360-degree swivel
pop-up footrest
USB port connection
lock mechanism

Small Spaces

When it comes to picking a rocking chair for a small nursery either style of nursery chair could work for your small space.

Simply, take into consideration the size of the area in which you are thinking about placing your rocking chair.

Thankfully, nowadays, there is a great selection to choose from when it comes to small nurseries.

Next, are 9 great Rocking chairs and Gliders for a Small Nursery which you can directly purchase from Amazon!

The following selections are based on:

Size (small rocking chairs and compact gliders)
Comfort
Customer satisfaction
Durability
Price
Style

So, let’s begin…

9 Best Rocking Chairs and Gliders for a Small Nursery

Best Rocking Chair and Gliders for a Small Nursery

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Best Traditional Small Nursery Rocking Chair

1. Dolonm Rocking Chair

The Dolomn Rocking Chair is a great choice for any small nursery!

The light beige color against the dark wood gives it a modern farmhouse look, which, let’s face it, we are currently all head over heels for.

This rocking chair features a long padded back which is great for back support as well as elevated armrests for arm support.

I also love that it comes with a side pocket which makes it great for small nurseries if you don’t have space to place a side table.

Dimensions are 39.76” (H) x 27.16” (W) x 37” (D) and have a 300 lbs weight capacity. As per the manufacturer it only takes about 10 minutes to install.

2. Wingback Accent Chair Rocker

Another great option for a small nursery rocking chair is this beautiful Wingback Rocking Chair from Best Choice Products.

It is made with sturdy birch wood and specially made to stay still until the user is ready to rock. That is a great feature for nursery rocking chairs since it adds stability and sturdiness.

Enclosed arms and a headrest make this relaxing furniture piece ideal for rocking little ones to sleep.

Overall dimensions are 34.5″ (L) x 29″ (W) x 40.25″ (H) and have a weight capacity of 309 lbs.

3. Small Rocking Accent Chair

This cozy little thing makes a perfect rocking chair for a small nursery.

It is not only affordable but it is upholstered in soft, high-quality loop velvet material. It also features an ergonomic design which can give you strong support for your whole body.

Dimensions are 32″ (D) x 26″ (W) x 37″ (H) and it supports up to 250 lbs. Although a bit wider than the last two nursery rockers, it is shorter in length which makes it ideal for shorter areas.

Best Small Nursery Glider and Rocker

4. Storkcraft Tuscany Custom Glider and Ottoman

Well, I couldn’t start the small nursery glider list without listing this Storecraft Glider and Ottoman first!

This is the nursery glider I used with both of my children, and I love it. When I worked as a Nurse in the Open Heart Surgery Team, other ladies from our Heart Team pitched in and surprised me with it!

Not only do I love it, but so do the other 2000+ customers who have rated this nursery glider an almost 5-star-review on Amazon!

What’s to love? Well, it comes:

with an Ottoman as a footrest that glides with you as you move back and forth
with a matching lumbar support pillow
in multiple wood finishes matching your nursery decor

This nursery glider’s dimensions are 19″ (D) x 28″ (W) x 41″ (H).

5. Naomi Swivel Glider Rocker Recliner

Naomi Swivel is another popular choice in small nurseries and it is easy to see why.

This handy small nursery item’s enclosed ball-bearing mechanism allows for the following features:

a 360-degree rotating swivel function
a smooth rocking motion
a 135-degree reclining feature
And, a footrest!

This Glider/Rockers’ dimensions are 37″ (D) x 30″ (W) x 41.80 (H).

6. Blair Slim Nursery Glider Swivel Rocker Chair

This Glider by Delta is another great choice for small spaces.

It features a quiet, gentle glide motion with 360-degree swivel action. It is built on a sturdy wooden frame and durable steel mechanisms.

Another great feature is that as per the manufacturer it is easy to clean. They recommend spot cleaning with mild soap and water. It comes with a woven fabric and removable cushion for easy maintenance.

This nursery rocking chair’s dimensions are 26.5″ (W) x 31.5″ (D) x 36″ (H) making it a great choice for narrow spaces.

7. Hoop Glider and Ottoman Cushions

Another great and inexpensive small nursery glider option is this one from StorkCraft.

It features comfortable padded arm cushions with convenient storage pockets for easy storage. Pockets in nursery rocking chairs are great to store burp rags and keep your phone handy.

This small glider is available in multiple cushions and base colors so it can match your nursery style.

The Ottoman also glides allowing for a smooth and gentle back and for swing.

Best Small Nursing Chairs

8. DaVinci Olive Swivel Glider with Bonus Ottoman

This swivel glider is a great small nursing chair.

To be fair, all of the aforementioned nursery chairs are good for breastfeeding since they all provide comfort and arm support. However, what I love about this chair in particular for nursing, is because of its composition.

Not only is it comfortable and durable but it has a soft recline to help you relax while you breastfeed. It also features a 360-degree swivel. Additionally, it comes with a footrest and a lumbar pillow.

One of my favorite things about this small nursing chair is Greengard Gold Certified—this certifies a product has low chemical emissions. This product has been tested for over 10,000 chemicals! It contributes to cleaner indoor air, creating a healthier environment for your baby to sleep, play, and grow.This product’s dimensions are 31.5″ (D) x 25″ (W) x 39.25″ (H).

9. DaVinci Piper Upholstered Recliner and Swivel Glider

Last but not least, is this Greenguard Gold & CertiPUR-US Certified nursing chair!

The DaVinci Piper recliner doesn’t only make a super comfortable nursing chair, BUT it is the perfect addition to any non-toxic nursery.

It is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means it has been tested for over 10,000 chemicals! Its upholstery is free of chemical flame retardants and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and is Formaldehyde-free.

Some great features of this recliner are:

Greenguard Gold Certified
Rocker, glider, and swivel features
Comfortable headrest

This nursing chair’s dimensions are 30.5″ (D) x 34″ (W) x 39.5″ (H).

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In Summary

Not all baby nurseries are created equal, and for those who have smaller spaces, fitting in a nursery rocking chair might prove to be quite the challenge.

Thankfully, as seen in this list you might not have to compromise after all and design the nursery of your dreams.

Whether you choose to go with a small nursery rocking chair, a small glider, or a small nursing chair… one thing remains true—the sweetest memories that you will create in them will be bigger than your heart can hold!

Enjoy this sweet journey, mama!

What rocking chair for your small nursery did you decide on?

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